Localizando nuestra estrategia global de sostenibilidad

A global sustainability strategy connecting sites worldwide 

Flex’s sustainability strategy is crafted to generate action both within our organization and beyond, ultimately enabling a better future for our communities and the world while delivering value as a global manufacturing partner.

Our sustainability strategy and goals prioritize areas which deliver value to our business and the world.

• Our business:
  We regularly engage with stakeholders, including customers, investors, and suppliers, on sustainability initiatives and conduct materiality assessments to align on priorities. Material topics, which guide and inform our sustainability strategy, goals, and initiatives around the world include emissions reduction and management, responsible labor practices, supplier sustainability performance, ethics, and more. Our annual sustainability reports outline these material topics. 

• The world:
  The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are global calls to action that address society’s largest ambitions by 2030. Our sustainability strategy contributes to the advancement of the UN SDGs where we can make the most impact: #3 Good health and well-being, #8 Decent work and economic growth, #12 Responsible consumption and production, and #13 Climate action. Every community initiative, goal, and sustainability activity at Flex ladders up to one or more of these goals. 

Actionizing our global sustainability program

Our sustainability program is supported by a top-down governance structure that facilitates action toward our global sustainability efforts at sites worldwide. The Sustainability Program Management Office (PMO) works across the organization to set and track sustainability goals. At the top, our Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and oversees risk. Site teams then manage local sustainability plans and report monthly to address issues. And the Executive Council, including the CEO and ELT, meets regularly to provide guidance.

Localizing our global strategy: net zero greenhouse gas emissions 

A prime example of the importance of regionalizing a global sustainability strategy is how we manage our goal of cutting operational emissions in half by 2030 and ultimately reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This commitment is critical to our stakeholders and to achieving global impact. 

To achieve our operational emission reduction goal, we’re taking a three-pronged approach: increasing energy efficiencies, utilizing renewable energy resources, and buying renewable energy.

Given our diverse geographic footprint, addressing these three areas globally requires clear direction and a strong understanding of local needs. This allows us to adapt our tactics at the country or site level, while always pursuing our common objectives. Additionally, countries have varying climate agenda maturity levels, so finding the right mix between these three approaches is critical to our success. We take this localized approach for every single global goal.

— Barjouth Aguilar, senior director of sustainability and Flex Foundation officer

For example, some sites are more suited for solar power installations. In 2023, Flex installed and expanded on 14 on-site photovoltaic solar farms, including in China and Malaysia, representing a savings of approximately 7.5k tons of CO2e annually starting in 2024. By doing so, we are not only helping reduce our own carbon footprint and achieve energy efficiencies, but we are supporting our ecosystem of customers and suppliers to achieve their environmental goals as well. 

Community-driven sustainability initiatives progressing global action 

El Fundación Flex continuously works to support organizations that uplift the communities we serve, generating positive change and strategically supporting global, sustainable calls to action. The foundation’s activities support our Estrategia y objetivos de sostenibilidad 2030 and are aligned with the UN SDGs. 

Fundación Planeta Agua addresses global water poverty through clean water access initiatives and hygiene education programs. Since 2019, the Flex Foundation and Flex volunteers worldwide have partnered to accelerate clean water access and hygiene education in communities we serve, supporting UN SDG #3 (Good Health and Well-being). We’ve implemented AquaTower filtration projects and educational programs in multiple locations: Guadalajara and Aguascalientes, Mexico; Batam, Indonesia; and Cebu, Philippines. We plan to expand these efforts to additional communities.

To succeed as a global manufacturing partner with sustainable practices, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of local contexts and needs. By implementing a robust sustainability strategy across our sites and communities worldwide, we can drive meaningful impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. As we move forward on our sustainability journey, it is clear that localizing sustainability is not just an option or a compliance necessity; it is a vital requirement for fostering community and sustainability in an increasingly complex world.